Contrary to prediction of an early onset, the southwest monsoon is expected to arrive in the State when it is generally due on June 10.
The presence of westerly wind and prevalence of hot conditions have ensured that the monsoon’s entry will be around the normal time, not early. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also made similar forecast as it stated that the monsoon could advance into south Odisha in next two to three days. Earlier, IMD and Agro-Metrology Department of Odisha University of Agriculture Technology (OUAT) had predicted different dates for onset but said it would be earlier than normal. The IMD had predicted the onset around June 9 whereas OUAT wing forecast put it on June 7.
However, the conditions have not been favourable as yet. The cyclonic circulation formed over Bay of Bengal has become less marked though it was supposed to trigger showers. The current wind pattern and temperature too have been unsuitable for the onset. In fact, Bhubaneswar, which recorded close to 40 degree Celsius on Friday, received pre-monsoon showers late in night, prompting people to believe that monsoon has arrived .
Elsewhere though, monsoon advanced. The IMD said the monsoon advanced into more parts of Bay of Bengal, most parts of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and some parts of Sub Himalayan range West Bengal and Sikkim. The northern limit of Monsoon was passing through Harnai, Parbhani, Ramgundam, Vishakhapatnam, Aizwal, Guwahati, Cooch Behar and Gangtok.
It is predicted that conditions are favourable for further advancement of the monsoon into more parts of Arabian Sea, Vidarbha, South Chhattisgarh, South Odisha, remaining parts of Andhra Pradesh, Bay of Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim and some parts of West Bengal during next two to three days. “There is likelihood of rain, heavy shower, beginning June 10. We expect the monsoon to onset during that period,” an IMD official said.